Prospect returns to form

Two weeks ago Prospect was playing a big part in making this the year for offense in Mid-Suburban League football.

It was an unfamiliar role for the Knights.

"That wasn't what we want," Prospect senior receiver-defensive back Mike Przespolewski said of giving up 31 and 54 points in consecutive losses to Barrington and Schaumburg. "That's not Prospect football.

"I think now we're starting to discover what old Prospect football is about."

It was pretty clear with 5:53 left in the third quarter Friday night at Rolling Meadows. The clock was running and there would be no stopping it as Prospect was romping to a 42-0 lead.

The Knights did give up a fourth-quarter touchdown but continued to give indications they're back to where they expect to be.

"We all just banded together as one," said Prospect senior two-way lineman Matt Babicz. "We focused on coming out with a lot of energy and emotion and sustaining it the whole game.

"That's exactly what was missing."

Especially on defense, which has been the backbone of the Knights' success. Instead of looking for shutouts they were trying to win shootouts.

Barrington and Schaumburg made it clear that wasn't going to work.

"We talked about it and we weren't happy with the emotion of the defense," Przespolewski said. "We sat down and talked and figured some things out to fight for."

Prospect coach Brent Pearlman believed it wasn't a matter of personnel. It was the personnel finally determining what matters.

"I think everything as usual gets set up by our defense," Pearlman said. "If they play well our offense plays with a lot less pressure."

When the running clock started, the total yardage difference was a staggering 477-69.

Babicz, John Sawicki, Sean Wheeler, middle linebacker Zach Anderson and linebacker Joe Mack did their part up front. Przespolewski and Austin Sobey had big interceptions.

"It's a young defense and now we're realizing our capability," Przespolewski said. "We go each week and we swarm and battle and fight."

And the offense was in high gear again with Sawicki, Babicz, Dylan Crowley, Victor Rhee and Matt Boll leading the way for Miles Osei, Przespolewski and Peter Bonahoom to provide the offensive fireworks fans love.

But the Knights learned the hard way to love what has them back on the right track.

"Every player is playing for each other and not for themselves," Babicz said. "To come out and blow them out gives us a tremendous amount of confidence to run the table."

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com